High School Sports

The San Benito High girls soccer team has entered the most critical juncture of its season. The Haybalers entered Wednesday’s game against Salinas—the result was not available when this edition went to press—in fourth place in the Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division standings, trailing first-place Salinas, Gilroy and Christopher.

HOLLISTER—The Christopher and San Benito boys basketball teams came into Wednesday’s game with one objective—to earn their first Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division victory. It was the Cougars who left Mattson Gym happy, coming away with a 67-60 win.

A year ago, James Moreno was in the midst of the best basketball season in his career. Five months later, he was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues (leukemia hinders the body’s ability to fight infection). Moreno, an Anzar High junior who is being home-schooled this year due to cancer, was diagnosed on June 9, 2014, a week before his 16th birthday.

Before the season started, freshman Alyssa Ito didn’t expect to earn a starting spot on the San Benito High girls basketball team. Then again, Ito isn’t your normal freshman. The 5-foot-1 Ito has done a solid job at the point guard spot this season, displaying a maturity belying her youth.

Bryan Smith was overwhelmed with emotion after he was announced as San Benito High’s new football coach on Tuesday. The 40-year-old Smith takes over for Chris Cameron, who resigned after 22 years.

Josh Ramos will remember 2015 as the year where the twists and turns of life took full effect. Shortly after completing his junior year at San Benito High, Ramos moved to a town outside of Buffalo, N.Y. In October, Ramos was back living in Hollister.

Tristian Medina is hoping to make up for lost time. The San Benito High senior showed plenty of promise as a sophomore two years ago, when he lost in the heavyweight division finals of the Monterey Bay League Championships before going 2-2 in the Central Coast Section Championships.

After 22 years, Chris Cameron announced on Tuesday that he has resigned as San Benito High’s football coach. Bryan Smith, who has been the team’s offensive coordinator since 2007, has been named the new head coach for the upcoming 2016 season.

With winter break almost over, the San Benito High and Anzar High sports teams are revving up to begin their respective league seasons. The San Benito boys basketball team opens up Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division play at North Monterey County on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.

When Angel Jimenez and Andrew Huaracha played their final football game for Anzar High on Nov. 7, the emotion was palpable. The seniors love the game with a passion, so it’s no surprise both players shed plenty of tears afterward.